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Wicca is a kind of "Modern Witchcraft", popularized by Gerald Gardner starting in the 50's.
It worships two deities, the "Triple Goddess" and the "Horned God". Wicca also involves the ritual practice of magic, largely influenced by the ceremonial magic of previous centuries, often in conjunction with a liberal code of morality known as the "Wiccan Rede", although this is not adhered to by all Witches. Another characteristic of Wicca is the celebration of seasonally based festivals known as Sabbats, of which there are usually eight in number annually.
Voodoo, is a very generic term which clubs together pagan practices from different regions. West African Voodoo is a traditional organized religion of coastal West Africa from Nigeria to Ghana. Voodoo religions believe in the existence of many Gods and spirits, right from the powerful essence that governs the earth, to the smaller spirits of streams, trees, rocks, and even spirits that govern or protect clans and tribes.
A Queen-Mother is chosen for being the oldest and wisest women in the clan, and she governs over the voodoo practices, and women's affairs.
Voodoo talismans, called "fetishes", are objects such as statues or dried animal parts that are sold for their healing and spiritually rejuvenating properties. Sorcerers and sorceresses called Botono (or Aze/Azetos) are believed to cast spells on enemies on behalf of supplicants, calling upon spirits to bring misfortune or harm to a person or group. Animal sacrifice is a common way to show respect and thankfulness to the gods.
Hoodoo, also known as conjure, is a form of predominantly African-American traditional folk magic that developed from the synergism of a number of separate cultures and magical traditions. It incorporates practices from African and Native American traditions, as well as some European magical practices and Grimes. While folk practices like hoodoo are trans-cultural phenomena, what is particularly innovative in this tradition is the "remarkably efficacious use of biblical figures" in its practices and in the lives of its practitioners. Not only is God's providence a factor in hoodoo practice, but hoodoo thought understands God, himself, as the archetypal hoodoo doctor. On this matter Hurston stated, "The way we tell it, hoodoo started way back there before everything. Six days of magic spells and mighty words and the world with its elements above and below was made."From this perspective, biblical figures are often recast as hoodoo doctors and the Bible becomes a source of conjurational spells and is, itself, used as a protective talisman.
To summarize everything:
Wicca:
Modern witchcraft, 2 deities (god and goddess), magic rituals according to the book "Wiccan Rede" and seasonal festivals called Sabbats.
Voodoo:
African Influenced/Originated pagan craft, heirarchy of gods/spirits, Queen-Mother, voodoo talismans (fetishes), spells and animal sacrifice
Hoodoo:
"Biblicalised" voodoo, African american voodoo with a twist from Christianity, God is the ultimate Hoodoo doctor, characters in the bible were all hoodoo doctors, and the Bible itself is a powerful Hoodoo talisman.
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What is the difference between Voodoo, Wicca, and Hoodoo?
